ENTEBBE

Entebbe, one of Uganda’s largest cities and located just 23 miles from the capital city of Kampala, is often the gateway to your Ugandan safari. Entebbe is the location of the Ugandan State House and the official office and residence of the President of Uganda. Sitting on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, Entebbe has roughly 70,000 people. If you have a day to spend in Entebbe there is plenty to do in this vibrant and friendly city.

Located right in the heart of the city is the extensive National Botanical Gardens, rich with local tree, bird, and primate species. Keep an eye out for vervet and black-and-white colobus monkey, or just take a relaxing stroll or bike ride around the gardens. You can also take a half day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, an island in Lake Victoria home to 50 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees from across East Africa. Take a tour, meet the chimps, and contribute to a valuable conservation project. You can enjoy a half day trip to Mabamba Bay Swamp, a famous wetland birding site where you can search for the incredible Shoebill stork among over 300 other bird species. In the evenings enjoy a nice dinner overlooking the beautiful Lake Victoria.

Seasons

The climate in Entebbe is fairly consistent year-round due to its proximity to the equator. It is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 81°F during the day and dropping to 65°F at night. There is no distinct wet and dry seasons, rather rain can occur year-round, with the driest months being from May to August.

Wildlife

Entebbe, despite being a major city, has a surprising amount of wildlife. Head to the Botanical Gardens to find vervet monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as many bird species, including marabou storks and hornbills. The nearby Mabamba Swamp is one of Uganda’s 33 Important Bird Areas, a key protected area for birdlife, and is one of the best places to see the much sought-after shoebill stork. Enjoyed a motorized wooden boat cruise through the maze of marsh channels searching for the shoebill!